SilverDoctor

Hi Weedy, By control I mean is line control. The Spey style of casting allows you to change the direction of your cast in mid cast. It also allows you to thowe sinking tips and large streamers if needed. But I have done a lot of dry fly work with this rod using flies like skid bitches down to #20 BWO's. The double handed rod especially allows great line mending because of rod length. The rod I use on the bow is the Deer Creek 5 wt which is a great trouter. Not at all like a "mooching rod". Not even close. It is light and respondent fly rod. It's my big river rod and a 8 " trout keeps things interesting. If I fish small lakes and creeks I will use my 3 or 6 wt. single handed depending on the area. Most of the trout I seem to get interested are between 12" and 23". They all give me a great run on this rod.

You are making the mistake of trying to find a "magic fly" no such fly exists. What you need to start thinking of is what are the fish eating at night on a particular time of year that you may be fishing. This is the same day or night. Varieties of insect do hatch at night or late evening. Trout may be feeding on a number of stages of the present insects. Pupa, larva, nymph, stillborn or spinner etc. Look at what is in the water. flip stones. Carry a small aquarium net and sift the surface. Find the formula of what the fish are feeding on and you're in the loop as far as color size etc. Dedicate time to look examine and hear what is going on. Fly fishing is not all about throwing flies.

Although I usually fold my hackle by hand or by running scissors along one side of the Hackle another way to do it is is really simple if you use the Joe Ayres foam block method. Start by getting a block of foam (the kind you find wrapped around computer equipment to protect it in shipping) about 3"x3"x10" long. Cut 1/2" deep slots in the foam -- you should be able to get about a dozen slots in a 10" piece of foam. To fold the hackle all you have to do is insert the feather's stem in the slot and the hackle is folded. You can do a whole bunch this way before tying. Simple and easy.

Good luck to you on your trip. Looking forward to your posts when you return.

I would be most grateful.

OK then I won't tell you you can lay out longer casts with less effort. Fish spots that you couldn't reach before. Fish in spots where there is zero room for back casts. And fish a style that is much easier on your shoulders and arm than single handed with requires less effort and that you can change of direction during a cast. I also better not tell you that it offers longer rod control for mending and double handed comfort. Playing fish takes on a whole new dimension. Gone is the feeling you don't have the control you need. With a Spey Rod you have leverage and power along with a suppleness that protects your tippets. Oops..... shouldn't have told you that. Please ignore the above.

I need to build a new station for a Nor-vice that I picked up. Boy the price of wood just soared again. Wanted some cherry ånd the one place I checked so far had it at $12 a board foot. Ouch.

We are lucky to even still get it in this country. You can't in any other. I'm getting low and am tempted to stock a larger amount for futures.

I've tied on Waddington's many times. Good for certain patterns.

I run Firefox at work and home. Microsoft no longer produces an explorer version for Mac. for the last couple of years. Just as well Firefox is better.

What size is that one?

Nice I'm sure it would work on Steelhead too

We had a running topic in the old forum with a lot of members including myself experimenting with different egg patterns. I tried yarn eggs of different size and color but did not have more than a minimum of luck.

I have a couple of binders of printouts. I have a couple of sketchbooks of pattern sketches and a diary. I also keep a "perfect" set of patterns of flies that I like in a dedicated fly box.

One more thin to a great description. After tying in the line to the shank of the hook hit it with a bit of glue. I like Salley's Hard as Nails. Should never come free. Use it on Intruders for Steelhead.

This one will certainly become a collectors Item.

I have it just forgot to mention it. Great read.

TFO 6 wt Deer Creek 12.5 ft. Two handed Spey rod. Have a number of rods between 5 and 9 wt. I would suggest a 6 wt for general dry and nymphing work and a 7 or 8 wt for big streamers and wets. A heavier weight longer rod makes a differance when throwing big flies and fighting big fish. A tiny rod is great for small streams. Pick the rod that will handle the size of fly, rig and depth and depth you are fishing. I think too often a lot of people get drawn into too light a rod and casting often suffers. If for example you are trying to throw a multi big fly rig with weight and indicator you need the spine in the rod to handle it. Also large streamers with sinking line requires a rod that can handle the weight. A light rod is great for tossing dries to small trout. Pick the rod to handle your fishing method at the time. We won't even talk about those 24" freight trains that you may hook into and need a decent rod spine to slow down or turn.

Well done, that's a big Whitefish. Nice start. Now it's on to browns and rainbowsand maybe some steelies.

Nice but dammit now I want to gow back out there.

Ouch only one book. I love my Benchside Reference, and my favorite for sure. My autographed copy of Oliver Edwards Flytyers Masterclass is pretty precious to me. As far as my most fav fishing (not fly tying) is my set of Roderick Haig-Brown books. Fishermans Spring summer and fall, A River Never Sleeps. Reading a Roderick Haig-Brown book is an experience.

Yep that was me all right. I remember doing show and tell in grad 6 when everyone brought in their guns, BB to high powered hunting rifles. The Idea of actually pointing a gun at someone was completely foreign to us. They where tools like a screwdriver or wrench. Many of our parent where still fresh form WW2. They knew how to instill gun safety (in my group anyway). We grew up curious and free. Free of fear, free of media and free to explore our world. It was also scary times, and times of fear. Fear of the bomb. fear of war and fear of the future. The local sporting goods had 2 different fly rods and 3 spinning rods. The only information at that time about fly fishing was form my Dad and the well dog eared pages of "Field and Stream" and "Outdoor life" (50 cents). I was able to find one fly tying vice in 1965 that my Dad bought for me for the huge price of $12. Few materials where available so it was off to the local sewing shop for thread or afield with my .22 to find materials in the form of Duck , Muskrat and Pheasants. Was it better - no Was it worst - no but it sure was fun.

I've just joined, maybe I'll see you guys tomorrow night.

Although I carry indicators I seldom use them. I grew up being taught tight line nymphing and swinging wets. I will use them on occasion where I cannot suspend a nymph because of water conditions or distance, like rapid cross currents. I fish mostly by feel. That is with a tight line, proper line and mending control and concentration you can feel the pick up. Certainly not for everyone depending on your skill level. We all fish differently. You may be more of a visual person. In that case indicators are great for you. I love to try new things and will often experiment with new equipment and flies. There is no single "best" way to enjoy the sport and maybe catch trout. Just a lot of different methods to try. Try the different methods and decide yourself what works for you.

I haven't played with any boobies even though I'm over fifty years old. I have admired them from afar for their lovely shape and cute perky look. I intend to tie into some boobies and try them in the sneaky manner you mentioned. I'm sure I'll love stripping some boobies down and popping boobies back up. I could see a brown attracted to a flashing boobie. The thought of fluttering a boobie like you do seems like a great idea and somehow strangely appealing. Anyone else out there use them. Show us your boobies.